After much rumor and speculation on the various message boards about what the future may hold for him, Syosset High School Junior, Nick Arujau, put to rest any and all questions last night when he formally announced his intentions to attend Hofstra University on his facebook page. A conversation this afternoon with the two-time NYS Champion confirmed his decision to enroll at the Hempstead based campus, beginning in the Fall of 2010.

Arujau, who in addition to his pair of State crowns in ’08 @112 and ’09 @125 (State runner-up as a freshman in 2007 @103), has also won three Nassau County/Section VIII DI titles and was a 2008 NHSCA Sophomore All-American (finishing 3rd), as well as a Cadet Freestyle All-American (7th last Summer in Fargo), said that after visiting and giving due consideration to all interested institutions, his decision came down to a trio of schools—Hofstra, Lehigh (coached by Pat Santoro), and American University (coached by Mark Cody)—With the local school finally winning out.

When asked what intangibles it was that ultimately sold him and his family on Hofstra as the best fit for him as a student-athlete, the Brave wrestler said that it was the overall atmosphere found at HU’s home duals that swayed him towards continuing his wrestling career on Long Island. Arujau indicated that he was blown away by the amount of support the community has always shown for the Island’s lone Division I wrestling program.

Furthermore, the future Business Management major at the Zarb School of Business cited the University’s plans to construct/perform a complete renovation of the wrestling facility as a significant selling point, emphasizing how beneficial he feels working out in a state of the art room can be for any elite college wrestler looking to win a national title.

Arujau becomes the first member of the class of 2010 to commit to Hofstra, and the third in the past two weeks to make his college decision, joining the Alton brothers from Pennsylvania who gave a verbal to Penn State on April 24th….Ohio wrestlers, Logan Stieber (Ohio State) and Jamie Clark (Iowa State) gave verbal commitments several months ago. All five are certain to make huge impacts on their respective schools, both on and off of the wrestling mat.

On behalf of everyone at Lighthouse Wrestling, CONGRATULATIONS TO NICK AND HIS FAMILY. We are all looking forward to seeing him don the Blue and Gold and represent the University to the fullest of his potential.

Statistical Note: Arujau finished the 2009 season with an unblemished record of 45-0 to extend his winning steak to 85 consecutive matches. He will enter his senior season with an overall record of 148-7.